Saad Muhammad Returns and Wins

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., — Former World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad, rusty after a 23-month layoff, showed glimpses of his old power Friday night, stopping Chris Wells in the sixth round.

Wells, worn down by Saad Muhammad's heavy combinations, went down four times in the fight. Saad Muhammad stopped Wells by rocking him with a straight right and following with long punches before referee Eddie Ecker stopped the bout 40 seconds into the sixth round.

Saad Muhammad, of Philadelphia, weighed 187 and improved his record to 34-7-2. Wells, of Orlando, Fla., weighed 182 and fell to 18-13.

Saad Muhammad won the WBC title from Marvin Johnson in 1979 and defended it eight times before being knocked out by Dwight Braxton in 1982.